An extraordinary era

Pokémon: Mega Swampert

Level: 49+5 (Early Gym Level)

Potential: Champion

Ability: Swift Swim

Gender: Male

Moves: Water Gun, Mud Shot, Rock Throw, Protect, Water Pulse, Rock Slide, Endeavor, Hydro Pump, Hammer Arm, Earthquake, Bulldoze, Rock Tomb, Rain Dance, Dig, Brick Break, Bulk Up, Ice Punch, Waterfall, Liquidation.

Looking at the stats before him, Chen Shi was thrilled. He had never expected a straight five-level boost.

Swampert had jumped straight from Elite Peak to Early Gym Level.

Mega Evolution really was incredible.

"Laa~ chi~"

Swampert's mother was stunned. She hurried over to her son and looked him over from every angle.

Wait, isn't Swampert already our species' final evolution?

How come you can still evolve?

I'm already at Elite Four Level, and I'm still just a Swampert.

Why?!

Grandpa Chen excitedly pulled his grandson over and asked, "Shi, wh... what's going on?"

Chen Shi felt his stamina draining rapidly and hurriedly let go of the Key Stone.

Mega Swampert immediately reverted to Swampert.

Seeing Swampert return to his original form, the two elders exchanged a glance and waited for their grandson's explanation.

Chen Shi caught his breath before saying, "What I'm holding is called a Key Stone. What Swampert had just now was a Swampert Mega Stone."

"It's also called a Swampert Mega Evolution Stone."

"As long as the Pokémon Trainer has a Key Stone and the Pokémon has its specific Mega Stone, they can undergo a temporary Mega Evolution once their hearts connect."

"The Pokémon's various stats will all receive a boost."

"For example, Swampert's original Ability was Torrent, but after Mega Evolution, it became Swift Swim."

"You saw it just now. Swampert went straight from Late Elite to Early Gym Level."

"This was my first time using Mega Evolution, so I'm not used to it yet. With more practice, I'll be able to keep Swampert Mega Evolved for longer."

Grandpa Chen asked excitedly, "Then if I take this Key Stone and give my Swampert that Mega Stone, can we Mega Evolve too?"

The corner of Chen Shi's mouth twitched. Scratching his head, he said tactfully, "This evolution consumes a lot of the Pokémon Trainer's stamina."

Grandma Chen burst out laughing beside them. Naturally, she understood what her grandson meant, and said with a laugh:

"Forget about it, old man."

"You want to Mega Evolve? Just don't evolve straight into ashes."

Grandpa Chen sighed in disappointment. He wasn't upset by Grandma Chen's words, merely remarking, "I'm old now. The future belongs to you youngsters."

Swampert's mother had naturally heard Chen Shi's explanation too. After a brief pang of disappointment, she accepted it.

She patted her son's shoulder, happy for him.

"Florges!"

Suddenly, Florges tugged at Chen Shi, her eyes fixed eagerly on him.

Chen Shi lowered his gaze slightly. An Eeveelution and an egg were looking at him with the same expression. Their meaning was obvious.

Mega Evolution! I want it too!

Chen Shi felt a little awkward. He couldn't exactly tell them outright that they didn't have Mega Evolutions.

After some thought, he said, "You need to find your own specific Mega Stone to Mega Evolve."

"I don't have any for you right now!"

The three Pokémon were a little disappointed, but they understood that if their Pokémon Trainer had the stones, he certainly wouldn't forget them.

Chen Shi scooped up Togepi and lightly flicked her forehead.

"You haven't even reached your final evolution. What are you thinking about Mega Evolution for?"

"Cha~ chaki doo-ee~"

(Can't I prepare in advance?)

Chen Shi smiled. "You always have an answer, don't you?"

Togepi's little eyes darted around. She wriggled out of her Pokémon Trainer's arms, ran over to Grandma Chen, and pointed at her forehead as she tearfully complained.

"Chaki~ chaki doo-ee~"

Chuckling, Grandma Chen picked Togepi up and gently rubbed her forehead.

"There, there. Grandma will rub it better."

"Chaki doo~ ee!"

Togepi pointed indignantly at Chen Shi, then looked at Grandma with a pitiful expression.

The corner of Chen Shi's mouth twitched. Ignoring Togepi's antics, he began giving Swampert instructions.

"Stay with your mother for now, and don't forget your daytime training."

"I'll come check your progress regularly. If you need anything, remember to come straight to me."

"Understood?"

"La-chi~"

Swampert nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Swampert's mother and Empoleon took the young Swampert toward the mountain behind the farm.

His grandparents' other Pokémon scattered as well, each heading home.

Casting an exasperated glance at Togepi, Chen Shi said loudly, "Florges, Leafeon, let's go upstairs to bed. We're ignoring a certain scheming little egg."

Florges immediately followed him. Leafeon also abandoned her close friend and turned to leave with Chen Shi.

Togepi was dumbfounded, staring blankly as the three of them left.

This isn't how I thought the script would go.

Aren't you supposed to come comfort me, fail, then pay up with an ice cream before I reluctantly forgive you?

Why are you leaving?!

"Cha~ chaki doo-ee~"

Panicking, Togepi hurriedly jumped out of Grandma Chen's arms and chased after them.

Watching this, the two elders shook their heads and chuckled.

Grandma Chen suddenly sighed. "Old man, you need to take that business with the stones seriously."

"Shi is right. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call those things strategic resources."

Grandpa Chen agreed, his expression solemn.

"I understand. I'll start collecting them immediately."

Still uneasy, Grandma Chen cautioned him, "Just collect them in secret. Once Mega Evolution becomes public knowledge, we'll be in trouble if anyone discovers we have a large stockpile of Mega Stones."

"What our family already has is enough to make people jealous. If we add Mega Evolution on top of that..."

"I'm afraid some people won't be able to sit still anymore."

"Let them try!" Grandpa Chen narrowed his eyes and snapped, "I'm old, not dead."

"If anyone dares reach for this farm, I'll chop their claws off."

Grandma Chen glanced at her husband. "And what about your grandson?"

"Why did you insist that Shi travel to Sinnoh a year ago, rather than Hoenn or Kanto?"

At her words, Grandpa Chen's expression darkened.

Grandma Chen continued, "We're old. It doesn't matter what happens to us."

"But Shi is still young."

"We can't protect him forever, and he can't stay on this farm his whole life."

"Let's keep a low profile for the next couple of years. Once Shi has grown strong, none of that will matter."

Thinking of that Dreepy's talent, Grandpa Chen gave a firm nod.

Then he laughed and grumbled, "That little rascal. He comes home and immediately puts this old man to work."

A faint smile appeared on Grandma Chen's aged face as well.

She said wistfully, "This era really is something special. All sorts of geniuses are emerging."

"Over in Sinnoh, there's my old friend's granddaughter."

"Here in Hoenn, there's that young man from the Stone family, and that boy named Wallace in Sootopolis."

"The Dragon Tamer family in Kanto has produced an outstanding descendant too. I hear there's also a girl at Silver Academy who specializes in Ice-types."

"Kalos, and even the Galar region that just joined League territory, have both produced remarkable talents."

At this point, Grandma Chen paused before continuing:

"I hear the League has been preparing something big lately, all to nurture outstanding talents from every region."

"I have no idea what they're doing. They're being so secretive."

"Yes," Grandpa Chen said with a sigh of his own. "What an extraordinary era."

Gardevoir came to the seaside!